Condi Rice as Romney's VP sparks passionate debate

Condoleezza Rice has said no way to the idea of being Mitt Romney's running mate every which way she can, but a Drudge Report story that she's the "front-runner" for the job has sparked lots of chatter.

Some conservatives aren't thrilled with the idea of the former secretary of State as the vice presidential candidate, and they said so clearly after the Drudge Report came out with its headline last night.

"I don't know who is hitting the crack rock tonight in the rumor mill, but bull shiitake mushrooms," wrote Erick Erickson on his RedState blog, as he denounced the speculation about her as "silly."

Two points Erickson raised: Rice supports abortion rights (and has called herself "mildly pro-choice"). She also spent eight years working for George W. Bush, who is the least popular ex-president alive, according to a CNN/ORC poll.

Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of the Susan B. Anthony List, said today that Rice is "an unqualified candidate" because of her abortion views. She noted that Romney has promised to name a "pro-life running mate."

Katrina Trinko, writing in National Review Online, said she was surprised at the idea of Rice as Romney's running mate. She noted Rice's years in the Bush Cabinet would "seem likely to generate controversy" and said there isn't a group of voters "she would automatically attract."

"This is bad politics," said Mark Levin, a conservative radio host.

Sarah Palin, the 2008 GOP vice presidential nominee, said on Fox News last night that Rice would be a "wonderful" vice president. Although the former Alaska governor said she would prefer "a presidential and vice presidential candidate who had that respect for all innocent precious purposeful human life," Palin said the job of legislating on abortion falls to Congress.

On the flip side, Rice wowed Romney supporters with her speech at a recent gathering of fundraisers at a retreat in Park City, Utah. She was also the top choice of Republicans in a CNN poll, taken in April, on who they would like to see as Romney's running mate.

Peggy Noonan, a former Reagan speech writer, wrote in TheWall Street Journal that she recently told a gathering of businesspeople that Rice would be a "brilliant choice."